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Lake District becomes ‘Skate District’ as waters freeze over

12th January 2010 Print

One of the Lake District’s most iconic Lakes has frozen over. Spectacular Lake Derwentwater at Keswick has become a stark reminder of the big freeze gripping Britain.

The three-mile long lake in Cumbria which is around 70ft deep, became reminiscent of the Arctic plains this week as temperatures across the UK plummeted to their lowest levels this winter.

The dramatic shot was captured by Paul Delaney, a footpaths supervisor for the National Trust, from a viewpoint called Walla Crag and the panorama was pieced together from five different photos.

Paul said: “To be honest it’s a pretty spectacular view from there anyway but with the amount of ice on the lake and snow on the mountains, even more so.”

Keswick has experienced three weeks of sub-zero temperatures with repeated snowfalls since 19th December. Paul said at 8am in the morning on the day of the photograph it was minus - 12.5.

Derwentwater is the seventh longest in the Lakes and a mile from shore to shore with four islands. Its edges often freeze in winter but tourism businesses dotted around the mile-wide Lake can’t recall the entire lake freezing as extensively as shown in the shot.

The dramatic Lodore Falls waterfall in Borrowdale – which inspired a famous poem by the romantic poet and friend of Wordsworth, Robert Southey - is also frozen in many places.

There’s a famous Lake District weather forecast relating to snow which goes: “The weather won’t get warmer till t’snaw’s off them hills; ant t’snaw won’t go off them hills til it gets warmer..”

The other is: “If they say winter’s coming, don’t believe them – they said the same about summer.”

Rachel Swift, works at the Theatre By The Lake right on the edge of Derwentwater. She said: “It is incredibly picturesque and people seem to be making the most of the clear skies, coming to take a look at this unusual scene. Quite a number of people were photographing the scene from the edges. A few people tentatively ventured out, but most do not seem very keen to venture too far. The thin layer of snow shows footprints going out onto the ice, but not beyond the landing station posts and most people seem to be being sensible and cautious and staying around the edges. The only ducks and geese I could see were being fed on dry land by a number of people who’ve spared a thought for them.”

Outdoor clothing shops in Keswick are reporting a run on walking poles, hats, gloves and ski wear. Andrew Airey, of outdoor firm George Fisher Limited, said this year’s star product was Kahtoola “Microspikes,” a special clip-on traction footwear usually used by fell runners for running up and down mountains.

Andrew said the shop has sold hundreds of the £45 product and that interest had gone “berserk” when people started using them to get up and down the streets.

It is now expecting more consignments to keep up with demand and had drawn up a waiting list for the product.

Cumbria Tourism – the tourist board for the Lake District has also taken calls from potential visitors wanting to know the best places to ski and snowboard.

Ian Stephens, Chief Executive of Cumbria Tourism, said: “Visitors should enjoy the weather sensibly and with the proper equipment because the area does look more spectacular than usual. Obviously caution is needed in these exceptional conditions."

Major roads into the Lakes are all open and train services are running. Anyone needing any information about a stay should go to golakes.co.uk.